Good restaurants in Sydney - personal recommendations

siobhan.m

I've a friend who is taking herself to Australia for her 30th birthday in April. I want to treat her and her boyfriend to a meal in a good restaurant while they're in Sydney and am looking for recommendations. She is a pescatarian so a place that has a good range of seafood/veggie options is best.

When I lived in Sydney 8 years ago Rockpool would have fitted the bill perfectly but I'm not sure that it's still as good as it was then and maybe there are new places that are better suited. It doesn't need to be silver service just good food and somewhere where it would be a 'treat' to go.

I'd prefer somewhere that is fairly central and easy to get to from the CBD where I think they'll be staying, or somewhere that is in an amazing location.

I was going to get a voucher in the region of $200/$300 - will that be enough? It doesn't have to pay for absolutely everything, if they wanted champagne for example it probably wouldn't cover that, but I want them to feel able to order freely from the menu, so 3 courses plus a bottle of wine at least.

hussey

siobhan.m wrote: »

I've a friend who is taking herself to Australia for her 30th birthday in April. I want to treat her and her boyfriend to a meal in a good restaurant while they're in Sydney and am looking for recommendations. She is a pescatarian so a place that has a good range of seafood/veggie options is best.

When I lived in Sydney 8 years ago Rockpool would have fitted the bill perfectly but I'm not sure that it's still as good as it was then and maybe there are new places that are better suited. It doesn't need to be silver service just good food and somewhere where it would be a 'treat' to go.

I'd prefer somewhere that is fairly central and easy to get to from the CBD where I think they'll be staying, or somewhere that is in an amazing location.

I was going to get a voucher in the region of $200/$300 - will that be enough? It doesn't have to pay for absolutely everything, if they wanted champagne for example it probably wouldn't cover that, but I want them to feel able to order freely from the menu, so 3 courses plus a bottle of wine at least.

Rockpool is certainly one of the best restaurants in Sydney, in fact it recently won the best in sydney by Gourment traveller
http://gourmettraveller.com.au/top_10_restaurants_by_region.htm

Although I'm not sure about your requirements here is a list of amazing restaurants
http://www.marquerestaurant.com.au/?request=DiningMenu&sub=10 - 3 chef hats - could easily get 2x 3 courses and bottle of vino for 300
http://www.becasse.com.au/ - 2 chef hats - one of the best in sydney, an indian girl in work went here (vegetarian) said it was amazing (2 chef hats)
http://www.flyingfish.com.au/ - 1 chef hat
http://www.pierrestaurant.com.au/ - this was 3 hats but he changed the style and now it's one (no more silver service) easily one of the best fish restaurants in Australia

Here is a list of chef hatted restaurants in NSW
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/hats-roll-in-night-of-the-long-knives-20100907-14y6d.html

siobhan.m

hussey wrote: »

Rockpool is certainly one of the best restaurants in Sydney, in fact it recently won the best in sydney by Gourment traveller
http://gourmettraveller.com.au/top_10_restaurants_by_region.htm

Although I'm not sure about your requirements here is a list of amazing restaurants
http://www.marquerestaurant.com.au/?request=DiningMenu&sub=10 - 3 chef hats - could easily get 2x 3 courses and bottle of vino for 300
http://www.becasse.com.au/ - 2 chef hats - one of the best in sydney, an indian girl in work went here (vegetarian) said it was amazing (2 chef hats)
http://www.flyingfish.com.au/ - 1 chef hat
http://www.pierrestaurant.com.au/ - this was 3 hats but he changed the style and now it's one (no more silver service) easily one of the best fish restaurants in Australia

Here is a list of chef hatted restaurants in NSW
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/hats-roll-in-night-of-the-long-knives-20100907-14y6d.html

Thanks, I might stick with Rockpool then, I know it was amazing when I lived there but was worried that it was no longer as highly regarded. And I see $300 will cover a 4 course meal for 2 so that suits my budget too.

mandrake04

have a look at Cafe Sydney. Last time I went here I got a great table on the balcony and one of the big Cruise ships was docked in the quay.

http://www.cafesydney.com/

Mellor

Quay is one of the top restuarants in th world. Anyone that seen masterchef will know it as the birthplace of the "snow egg", desert from the final.

Tetsuya's is another world class in sydney.

The S.Pelligerino top 50 restuarants in the world has two australain entries, both in sydney.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/worlds-top-50-restaurants-quay-shoots-up-list-20100427-tno8.html

hussey

Mellor wrote: »

Quay is one of the top restuarants in th world. Anyone that seen masterchef will know it as the birthplace of the "snow egg", desert from the final.

Tetsuya's is another world class in sydney.

The S.Pelligerino top 50 restuarants in the world has two australain entries, both in sydney.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/worlds-top-50-restaurants-quay-shoots-up-list-20100427-tno8.html

Dinner for 2 at quay is minimum 310 - ex drinks

and tetsuya is 210 each!

But yes they are both amazing restaurants - Quay is on my list to what to do in sydney

Interestingly Marque won best restaurant of the year beating Quay and Tetsuya

padrepio

Had a great evening meal in Doyle in Watsons Bay recently. Seafood was excellent. Pricey but some view.

Mellor

hussey wrote: »

Dinner for 2 at quay is minimum 310 - ex drinks

and tetsuya is 210 each!

Yeah, was expecting them to be 200-300. Pretty much inline with what the OP wants to spend.
I think Tetsuya might be a good optiob for a pescatarian.

I'd love an excuse to go, but can't justify it at the moment

daftdave

a bit off topic here but you or your friends could pick up some great deals here also

http://www.allthedeals.com.au/group-buy-deals.shtml

it changes daily so keep an eye on it !

siobhan.m

Mellor wrote: »

Quay is one of the top restuarants in th world. Anyone that seen masterchef will know it as the birthplace of the "snow egg", desert from the final.

Tetsuya's is another world class in sydney.

The S.Pelligerino top 50 restuarants in the world has two australain entries, both in sydney.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/worlds-top-50-restaurants-quay-shoots-up-list-20100427-tno8.html

Thanks, those both look amazing, I'll have to study the menus before I make my choice! These would be hard enough to get a table in I imagine? I might have to make it less of a surprise and get them to book it soon enough.

hussey

siobhan.m wrote: »

Thanks, those both look amazing, I'll have to study the menus before I make my choice! These would be hard enough to get a table in I imagine? I might have to make it less of a surprise and get them to book it soon enough.

Quay is apparently booked out every weekend for the next 4 months
Not sure about mid week - but it would be pretty hard

Tetsuyas wouldn't be as popular, and apparently even has walk-ins (on very few occasions)

Mellor

I said I'd bump this rather than start a new thread.

I'm looking for somewhere cheap but good to eat in the city at the weekend.
No occasional really, and money is a bit tight at the min so i won't be venturing to the likes of Quay, Rockpool or Tetsuyas.

Sydney has some gret restaurants, esp around circulat quay and the rocks, but the problem is its seafood dominant. Fine for me, but the GF can't.

So maybe a good italian, cajun or steakhouse?

hussey

Mellor wrote: »

I said I'd bump this rather than start a new thread.

I'm looking for somewhere cheap but good to eat in the city at the weekend.
No occasional really, and money is a bit tight at the min so i won't be venturing to the likes of Quay, Rockpool or Tetsuyas.

Sydney has some gret restaurants, esp around circulat quay and the rocks, but the problem is its seafood dominant. Fine for me, but the GF can't.

So maybe a good italian, cajun or steakhouse?

Italian - Portofino in Leichhardt is excellent
steakhouse - always hurricanes bondi/darling harbour

I find this website to be very good http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/70/New-South-Wales-restaurants.html

actually if you are just looking for some great pub food http://www.fourinhand.com.au/Bar/Menu.aspx is fantastic, the same chefs cook the bar food as the restaurant, and the head chef is Irish and will be on masterchef!
Was voted the best pub food in sydney

Mellor

hussey wrote: »

Italian - [EMAIL="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/751793/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Leichhardt/Portofino-Sydney"]Portofino[/EMAIL]in Leichhardt is excellent
steakhouse - always hurricanes

I find this website to be very good http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/70/New-South-Wales-restaurants.html

Hurricanes was considered (as was Kellys), but I've been a few times already. Something along that line would be perfect, especially if its not chargrilled stuff

hussey

Mellor wrote: »

Hurricanes was considered (as was Kellys), but I've been a few times already. Something along that line would be perfect, especially if its not chargrilled stuff

http://www.porteno.com.au/ is fantastic - like an Argentine grill - in surry hills
a lot of dishes are shared plates.

also http://www.amazonsteakhouse.com.au/ in newtown is pretty good - been here a few times - along the lines of hurricanes

Mellor

Had a look through Urbanspoon, Ambar in partin place looked perfect, mix between pasta dishes and steak/burgers. Only open mon-fri

It's pretty awkward keeping everyoen happy.
Amazon might be an option.

Feelgood

Theres a nice Italian in the Harbourside on Darling harbour.

http://www.crinitis.com.au/

Is pricey enough though has a GIGANTIC menu.
Nice atmosphere and good service too, can sit outside
over looking the harbour. They do a metre sized pizza

Lately I have been just eating out of Wagamama on King St.
Wharf. Just as good as the one in Dublin and 2 people can
eat for around $50.

RighteousDude

Crocodile Senior Thai on The Scuffy Murphy's end of George's street. best reasonably priced pad thai in town.

amybabes

Pinnochio's in the Spot in Randwick (nice area,loads of restaurants down there tbh but this is one that i keep coming back to as ive never had a bad meal - it does a mix of seafood/italian/steak/ribs/specials.
I usually get the rib eye steak and the bf usually gets the ribs, very reasonable - mains all between $18 and $30 max. And its BYO

Other than that, Tony Roma's is another option along the Hurricane's line - alot of the Aussie's would rate it higher than Hurricanes.

Churrasco - Darlinghurst or Coogee - I love, $35 a head, all you can eat. The meat is so delicious.

We went to the restaurant beside the IMAX in Darling Harbour on Good Friday and was impressed (has Ice in the name, ice something i think) - I had a big steak (yes i know! bad catholic) and my bf had the most gigantic pot of mussles ive ever seen - but agree with you about most harbour restaurants being mainly seafood, not a whole lot of other choices there.

Budget eating - Ive only recently discovered P.J.O Briens and the Porterhouse for yummy Sunday roasts. $10.50 in P.J O Briens for choice of roast chicken, beef or pork. SOOOOO good. Think it was the Winter weather that had me craving one!

Other than that, most places I've eaten have been very unremarkable and thats 2 years of eating out weekly in Sydney. Pinnochios in Randwick is def my best recommendation. We recently brought friends out as a treat and for 2 starters and 4 mains and BYO corkage for 2 bottles of wine -came to $110 incl. tip. So very reasonable.

Hope that helps!

Used to love the $10 steaks in the Bourbon in the cross, can't believe that place never reopened. Still havent found a replacement as good!

hussey

amybabes wrote: »

Other than that, most places I've eaten have been very unremarkable and thats 2 years of eating out weekly in Sydney.

Sydney is fantastic for food, am a bit surprised most places have been unremarkable

one thing I love is eating out, I've eaten in all of these:
scores from the Good Food guide (the ones who give 'hats' out) these are some decent priced mains between $25-35
district dining 15/20
Ms. G's 14/20
Bloodwood 14/20
bistrode 15/20
Longrain 15/20
Omerta 15/20
Billy Kwong 15/20
Assiette 16/20

if you have an iPhone check out the good food guide 2011 - they usually list the best of the best and have maps etc

amybabes

I've not eaten in any of those places you've listed! Must check them out.
TBH I'm a no frills kind of girl, i wouldn't be into a place where I need to ask whats what on the menu or the kind of places which serve tiny portions, huge prices and you leave hungry and end up at maccas!

Ive been more impressed by restaurants in Melbourne and Perth than Sydney tbh.
Oh also ate at the Bayview Hotel in Darlinghurst - 25th floor restaurant, and that was really nice and the view was unreal.

http://www.bayviewhotels.com/boulevard/index.cfm?id=5B9BB93C-BE11-930F-CA320B04A930C92F

They're running a promotion at the mo which is 2 courses $39pp or 3 courses $49 pp and its good quality food. I'd highly recommend the goats cheese entree!

Forgot about that one.

hussey

hussey wrote: »

http://www.pierrestaurant.com.au/ - this was 3 hats but he changed the style and now it's one (no more silver service) easily one of the best fish restaurants in Australia

Anyone who likes seafood might be interested in this deal from a daily deal website
http://www.honeyandginger.com.au/deals/view/15/pier-restaurant-sydney-s-best-seafood-restaurant-value-100-food-and-beverage.html
$50 for $100 worth of food

ballooba

RighteousDude wrote: »

Crocodile Senior Thai on The Scuffy Murphy's end of George's street. best reasonably priced pad thai in town.

You been to Chat Thai? Crocodile Senior isn't fit to lick it's boots.

The Sweeper

Went to the Bentley in Surry Hills last time in Sydney. Very good.

http://www.thebentley.com.au/home.php?pg=m1&pw=1260&ph=787&pl=1680&pt=0

hussey

The Sweeper wrote: »

Went to the Bentley in Surry Hills last time in Sydney. Very good.

http://www.thebentley.com.au/home.php?pg=m1&pw=1260&ph=787&pl=1680&pt=0

Fark!! I've been wanting to go there for ages now - I've seen his book and it looks amazing - worth it? any highlights?

ballooba wrote:

You been to Chat Thai? Crocodile Senior isn't fit to lick it's boots.

agreed - also http://www.mamak.com.au/ is fantastic (malyasian) and spice I am

Off to Assiette tonight - looking forward to it

jank

hussey wrote: »

Fark!! I've been wanting to go there for ages now - I've seen his book and it looks amazing - worth it? any highlights?



agreed - also http://www.mamak.com.au/ is fantastic (malyasian) and spice I am

Off to Assiette tonight - looking forward to it

YES, YES, YES!!
That place is class even though you may have to queue for an hour sometimes to eat there. Also that dumpling place in world square, Din Tai Fung
best dumplings in Sydney!
Khao San does some great Thai food! Some great spanish places around. Try Cru54
Mexican, there is a great place on Glebe point road.

Tbh it is hard to have a bad experience in Sydney, if a place has been around long enough and has a good rep then it will be good no matter what. New places that care crap will close fast.

Mellor

jank wrote: »

Mexican, there is a great place on Glebe point road.

Really? Where abouts?
I've literally been up and down the whole length of it many times and never seen it.

There's plenty of very cheap fast food looking places, mostly thai or chicken places, the might be on in that category, but nothing I'd call a restaurant

hussey

There is http://www.bajacantina.com.au/ - FANTASTIC place
or http://www.flyingfajitasistas.com.au/ - which I didn't find as good but still tasty

Mellor

I literally pass both of those twice a day, I'm on the bus but I've walked it too. Strange I've never noticed.
Obviously sub-conscious only looks for food nearer to my end

ballooba

hussey wrote: »

also http://www.mamak.com.au/ is fantastic (malyasian)

Yep, although it might be better without the queue.

The Sweeper

hussey wrote: »

Fark!! I've been wanting to go there for ages now - I've seen his book and it looks amazing - worth it? any highlights?

Appetizers great - smoked eel parfait, foie gras parfait, both great.

Other highlights were the jamon poached tuna and the ocean trout, duck was good, I hated the presentation on the lamb.

Desserts were great, and believe it or not the frozen goats cheese dessert was FANTASTIC.

They pack they place out, and the wine list is intimidating, but those are the only two drawbacks.